Rarely a day goes by, that I do not encounter people who are sad, anxious, discouraged, agitated or angry about one thing or the other. Some of these people, seemingly Christians, ask me how I manage to juggle married life, kids, ministry, full time job, Church, and home together, and still maintain a happy and unruffled disposition.
I must confess that I was one of these people, until I mastered the art of casting. Like everyone else, I have my own share of troubles. In fact if I dwell on them, I will definitely crumble under the weight and pressures. The secret to living a peaceable and happy life in spite of life’s troubles is primarily to know Jesus, the prince of peace. He is the one who gives the peace that surpasses every human understanding.
Secondly, we must learn to cast all our cares upon Him because the Bible says in 1peter 5:7 that He cares for us. Jesus says in Matthew 11:29 "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Many of the problems and burdens we carry stem from the fact that we are sometimes self-centered. When we take up the yoke of Jesus and learn of Him, we will discover that he was dead to self. His focus was always heaven-ward, and he was always seeking to do that which was pleasing and in line with the will of the father.
We tend to overburden ourselves because we concentrate on us and our problems rather than on God who is the provider of all our needs. Matthew 6:33 says “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you”.
We must become adept at casting all our cares on God. The secret to successful casting is not to go back and take over that which has been casted. Many people pray and almost immediately they complain to others about their problems. If we will experience a change in our situation we must truly learn the art of casting. What has been casted must no longer be in our possession. An understanding of this will truly bring freedom and deliverance to many of us.
It is also crucial to remember that the fact that we have casted the burden does not mean that the burden is not there, what it means really is that it is no longer ours to carry.
Another important element for a happy peaceful life is contentment. It is amazing that the apostle Paul, while he was in prison had the ability to be content. In Philippians 4:10-13 He says “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Wow this must be a daily liberating principle to live by.
It is quite obvious that Paul was definitely in need in prison, but his joy and well being was not dependent upon those things that were to be sent to him by those without the prison walls. Therefore when no help came, he lacked nothing because he had clothed himself with the garment of contentment. Technically therefore, he was free. Though he was confined physically, but mentally, he was free.
There are many prisoners that are locked behind the gates of poverty, anxiety, depression, anger, divorce, separation, infidelity, substance abuse, and what have you, that are walking the streets today.
It is true that life is not a bed of roses, but life can be much more worth living if we turn all our cares and worries over to the Lord. If we truly do this, He will always show up to help us carry our heavy loads.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-8
